Cincinnati Qualies: Day 1
So the past 2 days, I have been attending The Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open for the qualifying rounds. A mouthful, huh? After getting about 5 hours of sleep, I managed to be out of the house at 8:15 and arrived at pretty much at the 10:00 start time. On my way to the ticket stand, we passed the practice courts and they were already at work. Among the players practicing were Sabine Lisicki and Nadia Petrova. After watching them, I went to Stadium to watch Kimiko Date-Krumm play Cara Black. It was a good match, nothing spectacular. Kimiko dictated play, especially with her forehand and attacked Cara’s serve, which is a liability. If what was said was true, I can see why Liezel left her. Black has a nice slice and of course net skills, but Kimiko was too strong and she won 6-3,7-6(7-3).
I then decided to scout the grounds where I saw Yanina Wickmayer and Dominka Cibulkova practicing, where Kim Clijsters had just finished. Yanina was really hitting the ball so well and clean and Dominka was strong but her net ability was sub-par. Kim then came over and signed autographs and I was fortunate to get one. I then ran into Alison Riske, who was getting ready to play Vania King in an all-American matchup. Alison and I are friends so she was quick to give me a hug and we had a nice small chat. I went back to another part of the practice courts on the other side of the grounds where I saw a good friend Danielle Mills about to hit and I saw Elena Dementieva hitting. After talking to Danielle’s parents, I went to go get an autograph from Elena. Not only did I get that, but also a picture! I was so happy and she was so sweet. She is one of my favorites and my game resembles hers a bit. Then I found out Ashley Harkleroad, my favorite player was about to practice so I watched her hit for a bit and got some video. I was so excited to see her and I must say, she is in fantastic shape post-baby.
I went back to Stadium to watch the Riske-King match and it was very high-quality. Vania had just won the first set 8-6 in the first set tiebreak and I stayed f0r most of the 2nd set. Alison used her forehand and serve to control the match, but Vania’s movement was on in the match. Alison had the crowd on her side, especially from some family and friends, who were boisterous. I was rooting for Alison, but I like Vania too so it was “why did they have to play each other” moment.
I left to go scout the grounds some more and went to the big practice court, where I saw Maria Sharapova practicing with Victoria Azarenka and boy (or girl), was there a crowd. They were playing a practice set and I believe Maria won it. Victoria was on the run for a good bit and Maria was just serving really well. She hit back to back aces at one point. After they finished, Maria came to sign autographs. The first person was a girl who was in front of me. Maria then went through the line and skipped me. I wasn’t the only one to not get one, but still. Azarenka didn’t sign, but I decided to go back to Stadium to watch Chelsey Gullickson play Greta Arn.
Gullickson, sister of Carly, is the 2010 NCAA singles champion. This is her first professional level match since winning a $25k in May of 2008. In her 11th professional event, she pushed Arn hard and lost the first set in a tiebreak. I stayed for the 2nd set and serving up a break at 2-1, Chelsey quit during a point, thinking a ball was out (which it was) and lost it since the umpires thought it was in. That really got to her and she lost the set 6-3. Chelsey can be a top 100 player. She has a big game, but can be erratic and a bit mental. She says she wants to finish school, but we will see.
Ashley Harkleroad’s match was next and I was so excited to see her play live for the first time. She played Yung-Jan Chan of Taipei. Ashley lost the first set 6-2, with about double faults. Her serve was what held her back and she was making a lot of careless errors. Chan didn’t have to do much. I left to go get something to drink and look around since I was hot and hungry. Everything is overpriced so I got a souvenir cup of ice. 25 cents. I am my mother’s son. I did some more scouting and came back to a different seat and Ashley was serving for the 2nd set at 5-2. She was playing a lot better and I was sitting behind her when she served. I must have been her good luck charm since she eventually lost the set 7-6(7-4). She will regain a ranking at about 975 with 7 ranking points to her name. Not the start she wanted, I’m sure, but it’s better than nothing.
I then went to my parents house about 45 minutes and spent the night and went to Day 2 with my twin. Next post will have that.
Ineresting tidbits:
- Krajicek signed my program with her own pen after mine dried out. Safina also resigned it after it didnt work with her the first time I saw her.
- Ivanovic and Safina practiced together and before she was getting her wrist taped. Word is that she is having some issues with it.
- Chelsey Gullickson isn’t a professional, as she wants to complete her college degree.
- Sania Mirza had the crowd on her side but still lost. A lot of Indian fans were around the grounds.
- The grounds are really nice! $10 million renovation and it was $ well spent.
- If you didn’t know, it is HOT! I got burnt, even on my earlobes.
